The arrival of streaming platforms in recent years has led to netizens enjoying web series and films across languages, countries and genres. Many of these ventures have enjoyed tremendous fan following, with dialogues going viral and memes surfacing too. As far as Indian web series is concerned, it perhaps wouldn’t be wrong to say that ones involving action have been more popular. But is this action worth watching?
Whatever kind of entertainment you like or follow, it has to have an infulence on audience's thinking and overall growth. So are the changes we see today in the society. Earlier the only source of entertainment were books which engaged the reader for a month of two eaisily. Then came movies- three to four hours, TV serials- years and years and now the Web series- one or two days. So it won't be an exaggeration to say that people today want news kinda entertainment every day. Along with the negative inclinaion towards being intellectual, isn't this a sign of people giving up over testing their patience level?
Days after internet has become cheap at costs and especially after the closure of cinema hall during the crisis of Covid 19, the demand for the web series has increased tremendously. These web series based mostly on criminal subjects are becoming especially popular among youth and women. In view of their growing trade and in the name of realistic artistry, these web series often feature scenes of openly hateful violence, sexuality and nudity, and dialogues abound. And to prove the inevitability of all this, many types of petty arguments are also given. The situation does anything but makes us wonder why are all the hyped Indian web series so dark and violent?
Along with this, scenes tarnishing Hindu Dharma and criminalizing Hindu values are shown in plenty in these web series. Bhartiya army and their families which has a strong place of honour and respect in the minds of our citizens, is also shamelessly and recklessly portrayed as derogatory. Bharatamuni's Natyashastra, the oldest text of art in the world, which is also known as the Pancham Veda, states in its 114th Verse of the first chapter that the play song, in audio-visual form, as is preached by all sources, all expressions, all deeds and actions since the beginning of the time to shape, guide, educate and positively influence the society to be better.
The stories and plays are aimed to give relief to the tired, pained and those afflicted with fatigue grief. It is said in the 299th verse of the 22nd chapter of the Natyasastra that father, son, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law all sit together and watch the drama, so it should not display any disrespectful, embarrassing or shameful act. Sadly, today production of such violent web series is another well-planned conspiracy to hurt and damage our social systems and beliefs in the garb of artistic expression.
This is probably because there seems to be no proper system of regulation on these mediums. The user editors misuse this unlimited freedom to take internet mediums to the extent of anarchy. Yes, it is apt to stand by the freedom of expression debate but only as far as human sensibilities, traditional values and national identity are not hampered. We all need to strongly condemn the chaotic freedom that is flourishing under the guise of freedom of expression and expects art, literature, culture and followers of Bhart and Bhartiyata to boycott such free, vulgar works and acts. We must demand the government to set up an immediate system to enact stringent laws to curb such kind of creations or productions, which hurt the delicate fabric of Bhartiya society and the nation as a whole.
Counter Point :